The Coffin part two.

They laid him to rest against the background of verdant hills. The ropes struggled as the Coffin slowly came down, pressed tightly against the earth wall. The black veiled women gently placed her hand on top of the moving Coffin and murmured a silent payer. I stood in the back wandering who this man was, his name, his character, what he did for leisure, his adventures,his loves. The crowd started to disperse and move back towards the main road. Some remained to take in the last touch of a soul no longer here. I returned to my room. The blue sky slowly closing in for the day. A glass of wine in my hand. I felt I met a stranger; only he was not alive nor did i ever know him alive. My friend Monica called to inquire about my day. i told her about my little adventure. She was silent for a moment. "he was a good man" She said. "Well liked by the village" "A womanizer". "But a good man". I returned to my wine and felt grateful to have known a stranger, even if for a moment.

The Coffin

The coffin stood outside the church court yard as the villagers gathered to pay their last respects. The sky opened up to a glimpse of blue that would soon greet them on their journey to the local cemetery. The deceased was well known and many gathered to say goodbye. I happened to wander there by accident as I made my daily walk. I stood there in the gathering thinking that a parade was about to start. And than I noticed the coffin; simple and yet pronounced. There was a silence in the air, a murmur of sound, more of a shuffling of feet gathering. The coffin was lifted and carried by a group of men, some older than expected, and slowly carried towards the main road. The silence brought out the sound of our footsteps as we neared the cemetery. A slight warm breeze touched my face. Slowly our group moved on and the Men holding the coffin pressed on slowly and with a heavy step.

America

Your Freeways calm my restless soul, like rushing rivers destined to the unknown. Your open sky cries out for a slower pace, but the rush is too addicting and there is never enough of more. I am humbled by your vastness and how I cannot see the end of a road. I am watching out for trees and flowers and even better the smile of a child to know that sanity is everywhere, regardless of where I am.

The world according to Garp.

I had the opportunity today to see the World According to Garp, with Robyn Williams. It had a little of the overdramtic response of the early 80s. And a little of the predicted gestures that are typical to williams. But I was touched by the relationship of Mother and Son in the movie and perhaps because I have become overly sensitive these days, the loss of a mother resonates deeply in my soul. Though God willing both of my parents are living; I could not help but see a certain change in vulnerability in the the 6 months I was gone. And even 6 months is enough time to see changes, and the change in myself is also there. America, wounded and walking on one leg and rushing, always rushing to where only G-d knows. But Im attracted to her freedom and opportunities and the knowledge that age is only a number and even a car can make you feel well if for at least a moment.

Open Mic

I have been playing piano against the background of a roaring freeway. The sound filters in and becomes graced as a late winter stream flowing away from its source. Haydn is great for a rusty player. His melody drives the desire to practice. Than i play my own stuff and think of the next opportunity to play for the crowd. Yesterday I took a drive out to the mountains. The snow melted into blue ice patches, like drops of rain that would not budge. There is open sky here and freeways and a piano and its all really good and sane. Today is a new day, fresh and beautiful and the little dog who barks for love is awaiting my walk. And I am planing on playing soon for an open mic.

Covina

The magnet of America pulls you in when the storm of distant places rattle the soul. I find comfort in the empty streets, the sound of a freeway in the distance and a piano close by. The comfort and stabilty that i will soon have has no measure. But the journey will go on. Only now it might be towards a different direction, Towards personal growth and goels that need to be tended. Im blessed to have taken the journeys. To have ventured into the unknown, and more to come. But now im staying put. Im getting grounded and focused and willing. I have only to trust in my Higher Power

Prague 2

Im back to Prague for the second time. Israel was a whirlwind. All the old demons as well as the angels came back to haunt me. I have to be strong for Israel. To go there with more clarity; otherwise I get lost and unclear. Prague is a relief and cold fresh air, and less cash to play with. But I wont give up the dream. Good to be back.